The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-10-22
BIRTH OF WORLDS FAIRS.
How the National Industrial Exhi-
billions Originated.


The honor of originating the first great
exhibition belongs to the Marquis d Avexe,
Frenchman, who promoted and carried
to successful issue an exhibition devoted to
the national industry of France in the
wear 1897. During the troubles of the
French Revolution the Marquis found
that the royal manufactures at Seyres and
Gobelins had suffered severely, and that
the workmen were wanting bread, though
the warehouses were full OF the choicest
tapestry, china and rich wares. 1t occurr-
ed to him that it would be practicable to
sell these products in bazaar, and in a
few DAYS the walls of the chateau of st.
Cloud were gay with hangings, the floors
bright with carpets, the tables richly laden
with china and bUouterie, and the saloons
glittered with the large and beautiful vases,
the magnificent groups, and the exquisite
pictures of Sevres china. The Chambero OF
Mars was converted into receptacle for
porcelain, where could be seen the most
beautiful services of every kind. In the
centre of the saloon, surrounded by all
these beauties, was wheel Of fortune, con-
tanning lottery tickets eventually to be
drawn The holder of every ticket obtain
ed prize of greater or less value. The
price of each ticket was twelve francs. 1t
was decided that the opening should take
place in July, 1897, but previous to that
time number of distinguished persons In
Paris and many foreigners visited the ex-
hibition and made purchases sufficient to
afford distribution to the workmen OF the
different manufactures thus yielding
little temporary relief to their necessities.
The fame Of the forthcoming exhibit
ton inspired the citizens of Paris with
eager desire and they anticipated with i'm
patience the day fixed for public admission
to St. Cloud The courtyard was filled
with elegant equipages, whose owners graced
the saloons of the exhibition, when the
MARQUIS received an official notice from
the Minister to attend him Immediately
and to defer the opening of the exhibition.
The Minister issued an order to close the
chateau Already on the walls of the city
was placarded the decree Of the Directory
for the expulsion of the nobility with ar
order for their retirement within twenty
four hours to distance of at least ninety
miles from Paris, and this under pain Of
death. The barriers were strictly guarded,
and it was impossible to pass them without
an order from the commandant. As the
Marquis was one of the nobility he was
included in this ban, but he foand no diff
Guilty in explaining his position to the
Minister and the Marshal. He was fur
nished with company of Dragons for the
protection of the chateau in which so many
precious objects were deposited. The Mar
auis caused an inventory to be made of the
yaluables in the chateau and then closed
the gates and delivered the keys to NJ.
Marechau, the keeper, in compliance with
the order of the Minister. He posted the
company of Dragons around the chateau
and hastened to obey the decree of the
prescription Thus lamentably ended the
first attempt to institute National Exhl-
bition of Manufactures, Arts and Indus
tries.
The next year, however, when the Mar
quis returned from Punishment, similar
bazaar was organized and held in the
house and grounds of the Maison ID
Orsay, the success of which was so great
that the government adopted the idea
of instituting them annually. Fate and
the exigencies of continental politics, how
ever, willed otherwise, and the next exhi-
bition did not take place till the year 1901.
Upon this occasion quadrangle of the
Louvre was used, and the greatest success
attended the experiment. Similar exhibit
tiops devoted exclusively to French made
goods, took place in 1902, 1896, 1879, 1873,
VAS esteemed the most splendid and success
full of any hitherto held in Paris. 1t took
place 10 temporary palace erected in the
Champ Elysees, which covered more than
five acres Of ground. There were 4,494
exhibitors, and the productions were con
sidered as eyidencing decided advance on
everything of the kind before exhibited.
The Bayarian and Belgian governments
were quick to note the tremendous impe
tus given to French industry, and during
the years 194S, 1849, and 1850, they in-
stituted industrial exhibitions in imitation
of those of France, and they were attended
with great success and popularity.
In Spain, also, national exhibitions of
Spanish industry have been held with
more or less success. The first Industrial
Bazaar was held in 1927, and had 29T
exhibitors; the second in 1928, with $40
exhibitors; and third in 1881, with 22S
exhibitors; the fourth in 1871, with 2l4
exhibitors; and the fifth in 1877, when
1926 exhibitors represented the genius,
trade, and industry of Spanish manufac-
lures